Costa gets extension, per Eatman...***2yr 2.7mil Post #61***

My only issue with the signing of Costa is that he now has back issues as well as that nasty ankle injury he had last year. My hope is that they are looking at him solely as a backup and the plan is to draft a true center in the draft. If they are relying on Cook and Costa to play center, then it looks to be Groundhog day all over again.

I hope Cook isn't in the running.

Right now I'd say Costa, Kowalski, Arkin and Bernardeau are the key contenders.

I still like the Killer at Center - my dark horse.

However, if Bernardeau can play like he did last year consistently at Center than he may be the right guy for the job. If that is the case, I think it is best to shift Costa to Guard where I think he will be a better player and less likely to re-injure himself.

Now you can focus on just finding a Guard prospect to throw into the competition. I'd favor drafting one in the first two rounds. The only Guard that I think is worth of the pick is Cooper because I don't think Warmack fits what we want to do and he is really, really slow and this will affect any kind of screen game we want to run.

Does this deal lowers his cap number to where they can cut him if he is injured or can't perform this offseason?

I saw a release yesterday that his agent is saying that he's guaranteed $950,000 this year, so apparently some or all of his 2013 base is guaranteed. There wasn't any mention of any guarantees in his 2014 base. So if there are none, it would probably only cost $225,000 to cut him in 2014 (his prorated signing bonus for 2014).

My best guess is that Smith, Parnell, Livings, Costa, and Berny are locks for the roster. If you made me hazard a guess I think Bernie will be the starter at center and Costa will be his backup. If Killa comes on strong and can make a push at center/guard then you have 3 guys that can play at center.

I think this is the Cowboys thought process and we are keeping Free as a smoke screen to cover up our interest at right tackle hoping one will fall to us at 18 and that someone right below us won't leap frog us and get him. At least that is my hope. If we draft a right tackle in round one you can say goodbye to Free immediately after the draft and he will probably be cut immediately after the the draft anyway because he will be useless as a smoke screen after the draft.

Right now I'd say Costa, Kowalski, Arkin and Bernardeau are the key contenders.

I still like the Killer at Center - my dark horse.

However, if Bernardeau can play like he did last year consistently at Center than he may be the right guy for the job. If that is the case, I think it is best to shift Costa to Guard where I think he will be a better player and less likely to re-injure himself.

Now you can focus on just finding a Guard prospect to throw into the competition. I'd favor drafting one in the first two rounds. The only Guard that I think is worth of the pick is Cooper because I don't think Warmack fits what we want to do and he is really, really slow and this will affect any kind of screen game we want to run.

My best guess is that Smith, Parnell, Livings, Costa, and Berny are locks for the roster. If you made me hazard a guess I think Bernie will be the starter at center and Costa will be his backup. If Killa comes on strong and can make a push at center/guard then you have 3 guys that can play at center.

I think this is the Cowboys thought process and we are keeping Free as a smoke screen to cover up our interest at right tackle hoping one will fall to us at 18 and that someone right below us won't leap frog us and get him. At least that is my hope. If we draft a right tackle in round one you can say goodbye to Free immediately after the draft and he will probably be cut immediately after the the draft anyway because he will be useless as a smoke screen after the draft.

I want to see the line upgraded as much as anyone on this board but we were 8-8 last year with everyone hurt and without an upgrade at right tackle. We were a missed field goal away from beating the Super Bowl champions and being 9-7. So why don't you educate us all as to your thought process that gets us to 5-11 this year?

I'd say 98+% of people on this website don't even re-watch games focusing on individual performances. Without doing that, you really can't have an informed opinion. It's as simple as that.

I know. That's why it's so great when hairic posts the game snaps, broken down by passing and running plays. You can put them on and just watch what the OL really does and where the problems are. Almost every time I come away with a take that's notably different from what I thought I saw watching the game.

I try to pimp his vids (and Kilyin's whole-game vids) as much as I can during the season, because they're a great resource for getting a better sense what you're really talking about when it comes to blocking.

I'm okay with this. Very little $. If he improves we get him on the cheap for two years. If not little is lost in cutting him. That being said I think the team likes him a lot. Barring injury he is our starter.

I want to see the line upgraded as much as anyone on this board but we were 8-8 last year with everyone hurt and without an upgrade at right tackle. We were a missed field goal away from beating the Super Bowl champions and being 9-7. So why don't you educate us all as to your thought process that gets us to 5-11 this year?

There's no statistic that PROVES we'll have a record like 5-11. Here are some opinions though:

1) We're switching to an entirely new defensive scheme, and we have no idea how the current players will fit.

2) Romo is a year older and he showed signs of decline in 2012

3) The OL will still be a serious liability (opinion)

4) Play-calling?

I think WORSE CASE we are 5-11, but I cannot see us finishing better than 8-8.

I'd say 98+% of people on this website don't even re-watch games focusing on individual performances. Without doing that, you really can't have an informed opinion. It's as simple as that.

I agree with this without a doubt and I also think close to that same percentage most on this site have never played a down of organized football in their lives, particularly at the college level and possibly the HS level as well.

I'm okay with this. Very little $. If he improves we get him on the cheap for two years. If not little is lost in cutting him. That being said I think the team likes him a lot. Barring injury he is our starter.

Even after the UNCOMFORTABLE smokes clear's, Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones strike again...Keeping the 2012 OL in tact is great way to make sure everyone to include TONY ROMO....is UNCOMFORTABLE....

Three things come to mind:

1. Guess having the worst OL in the NFL is good enough for the Cowboys

2. How quickly has Mr Garrett forgot how many SACKS the OL gave up?....how many rushing yards did the Cowboys have?

3. I bet TONY ROMO is rushing to the table to sign anew extension knowing he has a great OL to protect him. Romo must have a bonus clause's in his contract for escaping and running for his life.

UNCOMFORTABLE.....yes Jerry Jones you have MADE everyone UNCOMFORTABLE....congratulations....you WIN...

Thankfully the Cowboys gave up on Costa playing OG years ago. Center was always the position he was going to have to play if he was ever going to develop into a starter.

Why - he shines when going man-to-man against the big guys. Look at hiim against the Ravens this year or against Paul Solilai in 2011. What he struggles the most with is snapping the ball and then moving because he isn't a natural Center.

He also isn't really undersized for a Guard. He is 6-3 and 314 pounds. He set all kinds of records in Maryland weightlifting program. If you look at his Combine he has very good quickness for the position.

His problem has always been short arms and that gets exacerbated more at Center where he has to worry about snapping the ball all the way back to Romo and then getting his hands up to make a block.

I happen to think Costa is pretty unfairly maligned here. I just think he is probably a better OG than Center while Bernardeau appears to be better at Center than he is at Guard.

I agree with this without a doubt and I also think close to that same percentage most on this site have never played a down of organized football in their lives, particularly at the college level and possibly the HS level as well.